State Senator

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Winfield Statement on Proposed Legislation on the Legalization of Cannabis

“Equity must be at the forefront of the conversation around the legalization of cannabis,” said Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven). “Part of our job is to ensure that those who have been most impacted by the war on drugs are not left behind in this conversation, and instead are at the center of it. Measures like the expungement of criminal records for those with cannabis convictions are ways we can establish a policy that is equitable and just for all. Prioritizing equity applicants and sending a significant portion of the revenue raised from cannabis legalization back into the urban communities that bore the brunt of the unjust war on drugs are all important. In looking to do this we realize that from time to time unforeseen issues will arise after legalization. In order to ensure all perspectives are taken into account as we move forward, we have also included members with a background in civil rights and justice matters on the Cannabis Control Commission.”